Food contact materials and packaging
Overview of food contact materials in packaging and relevant regulations for food businesses.
Food contact materials are those that are intended to, or can be reasonably expected to, come into contact with food. This can be:
- packaging
- cookware
- cutlery
- tableware
- work surfaces
- food processing machinery and equipment
Manufacturers of food packaging materials and producers and sellers of food must ensure that any food contact materials:
- do not present a health risk for consumers
- do not have a detrimental effect on the food, such as altering its taste or aroma
Food contact materials legislation
The main law is . This implements and enforces a number of EU directives and regulations, which continue to apply in NI.
Under current operating arrangements for Northern Ireland, businesses seeking a new authorisation for placing food contact materials on the NI market will continue to follow EU food rules. From Autumn 2023, the Windsor Framework will allow GB public health standards to apply for pre-packed retail goods moved via a new NI retail movement scheme and placed on the NI market. Therefore, goods moving via this route containing GB authorised food contact materials will be able to be placed on the NI market.
EU law on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food sets out the rules on and the chemical migration from all materials and articles in contact with food. It includes provisions for materials that will come into contact with foods, such as printing inks and adhesive labels. However, this does not include covering or coating substances that are a part of the food and that may be eaten with it, such as sausage skin.
These general laws are supplemented by specific laws governing particular materials, such as rules on plastics, recycled plastic and 'active and intelligent' food contact materials. It also ensures that these materials do not change the nature, substance or quality of the food they are in contact with.
A call for evidence on the safety of plastic containers or utensils containing bamboo and other plant-based materials is currently underway. Until these products have been fully assessed and authorised, the FSA will not allow them to remain on the UK market. This includes the Northern Ireland market, and is in keeping with the which currently applies to business operators in NI.
Any products currently on the market should be withdrawn.
Active and intelligent food packaging materials
It includes descriptions of 'active' and 'intelligent' food packaging materials:
- active materials - release a substance into the foodstuff to extend its shelf life, or maintain or improve its condition
- intelligent materials - monitor the condition of the food or its surrounding environment inside packaging and communicate this to the consumer - eg a label which changes colour if it detects bacteria or gases, indicating that the food is not fresh
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for ensuring the public is protected against chemicals that might transfer onto food from materials they come into contact with and may carry out to detect chemicals that have transferred to the food.
Documenting food packaging materials
There are specific measures in place for food packaging materials intended for use in contact with food, for example - plastic. These have to be accompanied by a legal document called a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) and have 91香蕉黄色视频ing documentation to back up its assurances of compliance.
All food packaging businesses - apart from the primary materials producers - are required by law to establish and document good practices. They must put procedures in place in accordance with good manufacturing practice.